What are the hazards of the car behind using high beams?
2 Answers
High beams can cause instant blindness to oncoming drivers, which is extremely dangerous. During oncoming traffic: High beams can render the opposing driver blind for 1-3 seconds. Don't underestimate these 3 seconds—when driving on the third or fourth ring roads, this is not a short time. Losing vision for 3 seconds can easily lead to rear-end collisions or even hitting pedestrians. When facing high beams: Drivers may misjudge the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles, leading to incorrect maneuvers. This is especially true for novice drivers. When unable to assess the situation ahead, they often fail to decelerate or steer smoothly and may panic, slamming on the brakes or jerking the wheel, posing a significant threat to vehicles behind or in adjacent lanes.
As a seasoned driver with years of experience, I always remind everyone about the dangers of rear vehicles using high beams. The intense light directly hitting the rearview mirror can instantly blind you, making it impossible to see the road conditions ahead. This leads to distracted attention and blurred vision, especially on curves where it's easy to hit roadside obstacles or miss turning points. I remember once driving on a national highway at night when a car behind me with high beams turned my rearview mirror completely white. It took me a long time for my eyes to recover, and I almost hit a wild boar. The consequences aren't just eye discomfort; it also increases fatigue, slowing your reaction by a few seconds and significantly raising the risk of rear-end collisions. The danger is even worse on rural roads with fewer lights. Although cities have more streetlights, if a car follows too closely, it can still dazzle you. Driving is a team effort. I suggest everyone develop the habit of proactively turning off high beams, maintaining a safe distance, observing changes in rearview mirror light at night, and slowing down or changing lanes in time to ensure safe driving without hidden dangers.
